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PITTSBURGH PANTHERS @ LOUISVILLE CARDINALS -20.5
Pittsburgh (4-40 at (24) Louisville (5-2) @ 7:30 PM * ESPN Network
GAME NOTES: The 24th-ranked Louisville Cardinals host their first-ever Big East Conference game this Thursday, when they welcome the Pittsburgh Panthers to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The Cardinals, who were dubbed the preseason favorite to win the Big East, haven't live up to the hype and following their first three league games the team stands just 1-2. Louisville, however, is coming off its first-ever Big East win with a 46-22 triumph over former Conference USA foe Cincinnati on October 22nd. It was a big road (2-2) victory for the Cards, who now return home where they have won nine straight games dating back a season ago. As for Pittsburgh, it enters the game with a full head of steam thanks to three straight wins and four in their last five games overall. The Panthers, last season's Big East champion, bring a 3-1 league mark into the contest following a 34-17 victory over Syracuse October 22nd. The win pulled the team to .500 (4-4) for the first time this season, as Pitt began the year with three straight defeats. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools, it is knotted at four wins apiece. The teams last met in 1994, with the Cardinals claiming a 33-29 victory.
After struggling through the first three games of the season, the Panther offense has really come to life and is now averaging a solid 26.2 ppg behind 351.5 total ypg. The group is gaining 128.1 ypg on the ground and 223.4 ypg through the air, but has also committed 17 turnovers. Protecting the quarterback has also been a problem for Pitt, which has yielded 25 sacks thus far. Despite the consistent pressure, signal caller Tyler Palko has been able to enjoy some success, throwing for 1,770 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Palko is coming off another fine effort, as he threw for 201 yards and a touchdown in doubling up Syracuse, 34-17. In that game, he also rushed for two scores, giving him a team-high five for the season. Greg Lee has been Palko's most used target, as his 34 catches, 710 receiving yards and five touchdowns lead the team. LaRod Stephens and Raymond Kirkley have split the work in the backfield and have rushed for 367 and 346 yards, respectively.
On the defensive side of the ball is where Pitt has been consistently effective, as the Panthers come into the game allowing just 19.5 ppg and only 307.5 total ypg. The unit has been especially tough against the pass, giving up just 154.6 ypg through the air with 10 interceptions versus a mere nine touchdowns. In the team's last game, the Panthers yielded just 89 passing yards to Syracuse, while also intercepting four balls. H.B. Blades showed why he is considered one of the best linebackers in the league in that bout, recording 11 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception. He returned the pick 38 yards for his first score of the year. With that effort Blades now heads the team with 88 stops, 25 more than his closest teammate.
There aren't many offenses that can keep up with that of the Cardinals, who rank second in the nation in scoring with an average of 46.8 ppg. Louisville can get it done on the ground (190.6 ypg) or through the air (309.3 ypg), and the team has also been effective protecting the ball with just nine turnovers. Michael Bush has really emerged as a premier back and leads the nation in rushing touchdowns with 18. He has rushed for 813 yards through seven games and is on pace to become the first Cardinal to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since 1999. In the team's last game, Bush put forth another solid effort, accounting for 127 yards and three touchdowns on just 17 carries in a lopsided win over Cincinnati. UofL scored five touchdowns on the ground in that contest, giving the club a whopping 27 rushing touchdowns for the season. Bush isn't the only weapon in the Cardinal arsenal, as signal caller Brian Brohm is more than capable of dominating a game himself. Brohm, who threw for 303 yards and two scores against Cincinnati, leads the country in passing efficiency at 169.80. He is completing nearly 70 percent of his throws for 2,102 yards with 14 touchdowns versus just three interceptions. He has done a good job in spreading the ball out as well, as four players have over 300 yards receiving. Joshua Tinch heads the club with 37 catches, while Mario Urrutia is tops in receiving yards (557) and touchdowns (five). Urrutia is expected to miss this game with a knee injury.
Defensively, the Cardinals are more than capable of making big plays, but must do a better job keeping opposing teams off the scoreboard, as they are allowing an average of 26.9 ppg. The unit is giving up 343.9 total ypg, but has been able to make up for most of those yards by forcing 17 turnovers to go along with an impressive 31 sacks. In the team's previous contest, the Cards posted five sacks and three turnovers while limiting Cincinnati to 384 total yards in the winning effort. Defensive end Elvis Dummervil led the charge, as he posted six tackles and 2.5 sacks. Dummervil is one of the premier pass rushers in the nation and has also ready set a Big East record for sacks in a season with 19. He is also tops on the club with 47 total tackles and his eight forced fumbles are tied for the NCAA record.
This is a big game for the Cardinals, as a win will keep them in the hunt for the Big East title. Louisville is extremely difficult to beat at home and although the Panthers are on a roll they are no match for the high-powered and balanced Cardinal offense.
*There`s been a distinct difference between Louisville`s offensive output at home and on the road. In their three home games, against Oregon State, Florida Atlantic and North Carolina, the Cardinals are averaging 64.3 points. On the road, in four games against Kentucky, South Florida, West Virginia and Cincinnati, they`re averaging 33.8 points.
* ``You have people that say, do you call the game more aggressive at home than you do on the road? You look back at the number of calls made, and I don`t know,`` Petrino said. ``I know that we have been very fortunate to get a lot of turnovers at home and put a lot of pressure on the quarterback, and I do think the crowd has helped us a lot.``
* The Red Birds have snatched the green in all three of their tilts at Papa John’s Stadium this season behind a dizzying 63.7 points per game. And no, that is not a misprint. The Cardinals offense has eclipsed 60 points in all three home games (63, 61 and 69) and is second in the nation behind only USC in scoring overall.
* Dating back further, the Cardinals are an incredible 9-0 (SU and ATS) in their past nine in Derby City overall despite being favored by double digits in each of these games.
* Louisville is additionally 9-2 (ATS) over its past 11 as a favorite of -20 or higher and 15-5 (ATS) in the past 20 games on the board overall. Meanwhile, home favorites of -14 or more are a profitable 67-58 (ATS) in all college games this season.
Pittsburgh (4-40 at (24) Louisville (5-2) @ 7:30 PM * ESPN Network
GAME NOTES: The 24th-ranked Louisville Cardinals host their first-ever Big East Conference game this Thursday, when they welcome the Pittsburgh Panthers to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The Cardinals, who were dubbed the preseason favorite to win the Big East, haven't live up to the hype and following their first three league games the team stands just 1-2. Louisville, however, is coming off its first-ever Big East win with a 46-22 triumph over former Conference USA foe Cincinnati on October 22nd. It was a big road (2-2) victory for the Cards, who now return home where they have won nine straight games dating back a season ago. As for Pittsburgh, it enters the game with a full head of steam thanks to three straight wins and four in their last five games overall. The Panthers, last season's Big East champion, bring a 3-1 league mark into the contest following a 34-17 victory over Syracuse October 22nd. The win pulled the team to .500 (4-4) for the first time this season, as Pitt began the year with three straight defeats. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools, it is knotted at four wins apiece. The teams last met in 1994, with the Cardinals claiming a 33-29 victory.
After struggling through the first three games of the season, the Panther offense has really come to life and is now averaging a solid 26.2 ppg behind 351.5 total ypg. The group is gaining 128.1 ypg on the ground and 223.4 ypg through the air, but has also committed 17 turnovers. Protecting the quarterback has also been a problem for Pitt, which has yielded 25 sacks thus far. Despite the consistent pressure, signal caller Tyler Palko has been able to enjoy some success, throwing for 1,770 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Palko is coming off another fine effort, as he threw for 201 yards and a touchdown in doubling up Syracuse, 34-17. In that game, he also rushed for two scores, giving him a team-high five for the season. Greg Lee has been Palko's most used target, as his 34 catches, 710 receiving yards and five touchdowns lead the team. LaRod Stephens and Raymond Kirkley have split the work in the backfield and have rushed for 367 and 346 yards, respectively.
On the defensive side of the ball is where Pitt has been consistently effective, as the Panthers come into the game allowing just 19.5 ppg and only 307.5 total ypg. The unit has been especially tough against the pass, giving up just 154.6 ypg through the air with 10 interceptions versus a mere nine touchdowns. In the team's last game, the Panthers yielded just 89 passing yards to Syracuse, while also intercepting four balls. H.B. Blades showed why he is considered one of the best linebackers in the league in that bout, recording 11 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception. He returned the pick 38 yards for his first score of the year. With that effort Blades now heads the team with 88 stops, 25 more than his closest teammate.
There aren't many offenses that can keep up with that of the Cardinals, who rank second in the nation in scoring with an average of 46.8 ppg. Louisville can get it done on the ground (190.6 ypg) or through the air (309.3 ypg), and the team has also been effective protecting the ball with just nine turnovers. Michael Bush has really emerged as a premier back and leads the nation in rushing touchdowns with 18. He has rushed for 813 yards through seven games and is on pace to become the first Cardinal to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since 1999. In the team's last game, Bush put forth another solid effort, accounting for 127 yards and three touchdowns on just 17 carries in a lopsided win over Cincinnati. UofL scored five touchdowns on the ground in that contest, giving the club a whopping 27 rushing touchdowns for the season. Bush isn't the only weapon in the Cardinal arsenal, as signal caller Brian Brohm is more than capable of dominating a game himself. Brohm, who threw for 303 yards and two scores against Cincinnati, leads the country in passing efficiency at 169.80. He is completing nearly 70 percent of his throws for 2,102 yards with 14 touchdowns versus just three interceptions. He has done a good job in spreading the ball out as well, as four players have over 300 yards receiving. Joshua Tinch heads the club with 37 catches, while Mario Urrutia is tops in receiving yards (557) and touchdowns (five). Urrutia is expected to miss this game with a knee injury.
Defensively, the Cardinals are more than capable of making big plays, but must do a better job keeping opposing teams off the scoreboard, as they are allowing an average of 26.9 ppg. The unit is giving up 343.9 total ypg, but has been able to make up for most of those yards by forcing 17 turnovers to go along with an impressive 31 sacks. In the team's previous contest, the Cards posted five sacks and three turnovers while limiting Cincinnati to 384 total yards in the winning effort. Defensive end Elvis Dummervil led the charge, as he posted six tackles and 2.5 sacks. Dummervil is one of the premier pass rushers in the nation and has also ready set a Big East record for sacks in a season with 19. He is also tops on the club with 47 total tackles and his eight forced fumbles are tied for the NCAA record.
This is a big game for the Cardinals, as a win will keep them in the hunt for the Big East title. Louisville is extremely difficult to beat at home and although the Panthers are on a roll they are no match for the high-powered and balanced Cardinal offense.
*There`s been a distinct difference between Louisville`s offensive output at home and on the road. In their three home games, against Oregon State, Florida Atlantic and North Carolina, the Cardinals are averaging 64.3 points. On the road, in four games against Kentucky, South Florida, West Virginia and Cincinnati, they`re averaging 33.8 points.
* ``You have people that say, do you call the game more aggressive at home than you do on the road? You look back at the number of calls made, and I don`t know,`` Petrino said. ``I know that we have been very fortunate to get a lot of turnovers at home and put a lot of pressure on the quarterback, and I do think the crowd has helped us a lot.``
* The Red Birds have snatched the green in all three of their tilts at Papa John’s Stadium this season behind a dizzying 63.7 points per game. And no, that is not a misprint. The Cardinals offense has eclipsed 60 points in all three home games (63, 61 and 69) and is second in the nation behind only USC in scoring overall.
* Dating back further, the Cardinals are an incredible 9-0 (SU and ATS) in their past nine in Derby City overall despite being favored by double digits in each of these games.
* Louisville is additionally 9-2 (ATS) over its past 11 as a favorite of -20 or higher and 15-5 (ATS) in the past 20 games on the board overall. Meanwhile, home favorites of -14 or more are a profitable 67-58 (ATS) in all college games this season.